Clamp connector



Feb. 14, 1950 c. L. HATCH 2,497,602

CLAMP CONNECTOR Filed April 1, 1948 Inventor Curtis L. Ha fch Patented Feb. 14, 1950 2,497,602 oL MP CONNECTOR v .CurtisL. Hatch, Salt Lake'City'; Utah',"asslgnor r one-third to "Utah VII-his .inventionrelates to new and useful improvements and structural refinements in clamp connectors, more specifically, connectors such as may be conveniently and effectively employed for attaching electrical conduits to substantially cylindrical rods or posts, and the principal object of the invention is to facilitate convenient and a dependable connection between a cable and a terminal post of a storage battery used in automobiles and similar vehicles.

However, it should be understood that the application of the invention is by no means restricted to this particular use, and that the invention may be employed wherever a cable, or the like, is to be connected to a substantially cylindrical member, as will be readily apparent from the following disclosure.

In any event, the principal object of the invention as above outlined is achieved by the provision of an externally threaded bushing to which the cable is connected in a more-or-less conventional manner and which is receivable on the battery post, this bushing including a gripping pad and being provided with a clamping nut engageable with the pad, whereby the latter is urged in frictional engagement with the post of the battery to which the aforementioned cable is to be electrically connected.

An important feature of the invention resides in its simplicity of construction, ease of manufacture, and in its adaptability for repeated use.

With the above more important objects and features in view and such other objects and features as may become apparent as this specification proceeds, the invention consists essentially of the arrangement and construction of parts as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

7 Figure 1 is a top plan view of the invention;

Figure 2 is a cross sectional view, taken substantially in the plane of the line 2-2 in Fi ure 1;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the bushing, cable socket and gripping pad used in the invention;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a clamping nut used therein; and,

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the gripping pad per se.

Like characters of reference are employed to designate like parts in the specification and throughout the several views.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings in detail, the invention consists of a clamp connector designated generally by the reference char- Edwin D. Hatch, Salt'Lake City, H

Application April 1, 194a,;se'rlal No'.,18, 385f 2"Claims. (cure -259) acter ID, the same embodying in its construction 'abushing' l2 which is receivable on the terminal post of the battery (not shown) and which is externally screw-threaded as at M.

The bushing 12 preferably is formed with an integral, polygonal wrench-receiving portion I 6, and it will be also noted that the bushing is provided in the side wall thereof with a recess I8 which extends into the bushing portion "5, as is best shown in Figure 2.

A wedge-shaped gripping pad 20 is provided in a relatively large end portion thereof with a transverse bore 22 to accommodate a pin 24, the latter being journalled in the portion N5 of the bushing l4 and the pad being pivotally disposed, so to speak, in the recess l8 of the bushing, as will be clearly apparent.v

It is to be noted that the pad 20 includes what may be referred to as a cam surface 25 on one side, and a set of gripping teeth 28 on the relatively opposite side, these teeth being projectible into the bore 30 of the bushing [2, as shown in Figure 2. I

A clampin nut 32 is receivable on the screwthreaded portion of the bushing l4 and is engageable with the cam surface 26 of the pad 20, whereby the pad is urged inwardly, into the bore 30.

A suitable socket 34 of more-or-less conventional design is rigidly secured in any suitable manner to the portion 16 of the bushing M, the socket 34, of course, being intended to receive the electrical cable which is to be connected.

The connecting operation is effected by simply placing the bushing M on the battery terminal post and thereafter tightening the nut 32 and the latter, by virtue of its engagement with the cam surface of the pad 20, will urge the teeth 28 of the pad in frictional engagement with the terminal post of the battery, thereby firmly and securely retaining the clamp connector on the battery post, as will be clearly understood.

Needless to say, the clamp connector may be readily removed or separated from the battery post by simply loosening the clamping nut 32.

It is believed that the advantages and use of the invention will be clearly apparent from the foregoing disclosure, and, according, further description thereof at this point is deemed unnecessary.

While in the foregoing there has been shown and described the preferred embodiment of this invention, it is to be understood that minor changes in the details of construction, combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

Having described the invention, claimed as new is:

1. In a clamp connector, the combination of an externally screw-threaded bushing provided at One end thereof: withan outturned flangesaid bushing ihcludin'g's'aid flange being formed with an open slot, a, pin provided in said flange and extending transversely of said slot in a plane out side the screw-threaded surface of the bushing.

what is a wedge-shaped gripping dog pivotally mounted in said slot on said pin, said doghaving an outer surface extending inwardly in said" slotbeyond the screw-threaded surface of the bushing, and a clamping nut provided on said bushing and engageable with the outer surface of said dog whereby the latter may be urged into the bushmg.

2., In association with a battery post, a clamp connector comprising a screw-threaded bushing 4 positionable on said post and formed with an openslot, a wedge-shaped dog pivotally mounted in said slot and provided on its inner surface with a set of gripping teeth, and a clamping nut provided on said bushing and engageable with said dog whereby said teeth may be urged in engagement withsaid post.

CURTIS L. HATCH.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 411,153 Lafferty Sept. 1'7, 1889 1,847,972 Morris Mar. 1, 1932 1,886,095 Hamby Nov. 1, 1932 2,041,824 Friend May 26, 1936 2,076,257 Vana Apr. 6, 1937 2,228,344: Demeo Jan. 14,1941 

